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Single driver point source speakers vs. the world?

Okay, I've been a 'stat guy the majority of my audio life.

Recently I acquired a humble speaker that has me rethinking my entire approach to audio, i.e., big power amp requirements driving mass amounts of current to 'stats.

The speaker I'm referring to is the Cain & Cain Abby. 8 watts of 300b SET amplification into these speakers is as good as I've heard. No, they don't do bass but they excel at everything else. So the ? for those with point source design experience is does the lack of a crossover in designs equate to these types of results in other point source or single driver designs?
coltrane1
sebrof's avatar
sebrof
735 posts
 
Hope this doesn't stray too far off topic, but that never seems to stop anyone anyway : )

I mentioned in an earlier post that I received my first single driver speakers (albeit with a super tweeter) a couple of weeks ago. One of the things that appeals to me is that it allows a very straight signal path. I have 7 components (not counting wires and room) in the path from the output of my CDP to my ears: 1. Amp selector switch; 2. volume with discrete resistors; 3. pentode driver; 4. coupling cap; 5. 2A3 triode; 6. OPT; 7. Fostex driver.
I'm not saying it's the only or even best way, but it's interesting enough to me that I want to explore and see what I can get out of it. I'm still getting things in order, but so far I like the music.
weseixas
519 posts
 
JohnK,

Sorry to hear about your disorder, best of luck and get well soon ...

Regards,
texas42
98 posts
 
I guess I am just one of the ones who "don't get it". At least with what I have heard so far in the single driver camp. I listened to a pair of Rethms at length and had a pair of big Cardersound (Madisons) and wanted to like both but didn't. To be objective, I'll have to conclude it must have been my room (large, open) or my electronics at the time (tube but not SET). There just wasn't enough 'there' for me to like. On the other hand, I do currently have a pair of Martin Logan CLS (which are 'single driver' although a completely different design than the horn loaded high efficiency designs being extolled) and I love them. Different strokes for different folks I guess. Hopefully, the RMAF next week will have a few single driver designs and perhaps my perceptions will change. I do love the idea of them (no crossovers, point source, etc...).
mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
No discussion of single driver point source speakers would be complete without considering these:

Walsh Exotic Speakers
sebrof's avatar
sebrof
735 posts
 
Texas - I agree it could be your situation (room, amp), or it could be you just don't like them.
My room is small @ 12' x 13' x 9' and I've had other bigger speakers in there (the KHorns I bought from you as an example). Now, with a 2A3 SET and these smaller SD speakers, and my listening preferences, I feel like I've got the right stuff and it's all meshing.
I also don't want to give the impression that these things can't rock because they can. But rock to me is 90db - 95db or so. Loud but not very loud I guess.
btw: Those KHorns are now in the game room. Kids love 'em when they play XBox.
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